Police were impressed by crowd behaviour at last weekend's Pitch Music and Arts Festival near Moyston.
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The event ran over the Labour Day long weekend at mafeking, with about 8000 patrons in attendance.
Across four days and with thousands of people in attendance, there was just one incident of reported crime activity.
"There were no reports of assaults, damages, thefts or burglaries and no sexual assaults," Northern Grampians acting inspector Rob Weppner said.
"The only report we had was a possession of drugs which we are still investigating. A female from Melbourne in possession of drugs will be dealt with. She was ejected in accordance with the event policy."
Acting Inspector Weppner said having just one incident was a credit to those in attendance.
"Four days with a crowd the size of Ararat and just one reported crime - we are thinking that is a fantastic result," he said.
"When put in comparison what can happen in Ararat over a weekend, to have just one incident was quite impressive."
Acting inspector Weppner said police had a strong presence at the event to ensure everything ran smoothly.
"There was a highly visible police presence over four days in event and outside too," he said.
"Inside we provided support up until about 4am every day, working with other stakeholders to provide support to make it a safe environment."
Despite a positive result inside the event, acting inspector Weppner said drug tests on the roads afterwards were disappointing.
"We had the drug bus as well as highway patrol on major and minor roads in the region. There were 24 positive drug tests which is really disappointing," he said.
"Prior to the event and during, police spoke to everyone coming through at the gates to alert them to the fact there would be drug buses leaving the event.
"To still have people taking that risk and putting themselves, passengers and other road users at risk is not good."
Drug and alcohol tests were available on site at the festival for patrons to ensure they did not test positive on the roads afterwards.
Acting inspector Weppner said overall the festival was positive.
"It was a well supported and proactive event. We would have liked drivers to have taken more care but hopefully we can continue to send home that message and those numbers drop next year," he said.
...to have just one incident was quite impressive
- Rob Weppner
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